I LOVE to Getaway! All kinds of Getaways ~ Girls, Family, Couples, Church, Mother/Daughter, Teacher, Romantic, you name it I am up for it! All these kinds of trips are GOOD for the Soul! Sometimes we are trying to connect with our friends, sometimes our spouse but most importantly is to reconnect with ourselves!
Here are some of the trips & ideas I have done in the past ~ Any questions feel free to post ~ I LOVE to TALK Getaways!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Wine Weekends WOOOOHOOOOO!

Georgia is known for peanuts and peaches but hidden in the North Georgia Mountains is another Georgia Gem ~ WINE! Here is a list of some of our favorite wineries in the Dahlonega area. Great for a day trip or an overnighter!

Montaluce Winery and Estates is one of the newest vineyard's to the bunch. With an Italian flair you would swear you were somewhere on a Tuscany hillside. Their restaurant has great food! We went as a group on a Sunday afternoon for a private tour & tasting and stayed for the Sunday Supper ~ Delizioso! Haven't had the privilege yet but I am dying to stay at one of Montaluce's Villas that they have available for rent. It has 3br and would be perfect for a couples getaway (it also rents by the bedroom if it is only you and your hubby). Check out their website ~ MoltoBello! http://www.montaluce.com/

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is a family owned treasure. Their wines have won over 100 medals in major US wine competitions. We have been here on a few occasions for tastings and tours. They consider themselves true to the Napa Style wine tasting experience. A bunch of girls and I went up once for a mini-bridal brunch. They put out a beautiful and bountiful spread. Following a bite to eat you can grab a bottle of wine and sit out on their front porch which overlooks the vineyard ~ just lovely. http://www.wolfmountainvineyards.com/

The next three wineries are all very close to each other which makes for a smooth transition from one to the next!

Frogtown Cellars is a special winery ~ the building itself is built without any nails. The interior resembles that of a log cabin. The views are breath taking. They use gravity in place of pumps to move their wine from one process to the next. They usually have panini's available for lunch in addition to a Sunday Brunch. Check out their calendar from time to time they host a special wine makers dinner in their cask room. http://www.frogtownwine.com/

Three Sisters Vineyards is one of the first family farm winery in Georgia. On any given Thurs - Sunday afternoon you can stroll into the tasting room and you will find Doug Paul the owner in his overalls happy to pour you some "Fat Boy Red" or "Chestatee White" (some of our faves). Doug Paul is the one that introduced me to the love affair of Dark Chocolate and Red Wine. They even host a Wine and Chocolate Lovers Celebration during the month of love (February). It is a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere here that keeps them coming back time after time. You may even luck out and catch some live bluegrass from the Buzzard Mountain Boys. We have been there with a large group for my birthday several years ago, we just took over a small canopied area near their lake ~ ate, drank and be merried! On another occasion we have gone with the kids and let them run and roll down the hills while we sat in the sunshine and listened to blue grass while sipping ~ CHEERS! http://www.threesistersvineyards.com/

Blackstock Vineyard is the newbie of the these three. The Appalachian Style lodge with a HUGE covered deck overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains makes for a perfect setting to end your winery day. They also have special dinners throughout the year. Check their calendar for live music on their HUMONGOUS deck. On one visit we were lucky enough to see a hot air balloon taking off right behind the winery simply amazing. http://www.bsvw.com/

**Notice I didn't talk much about the wines - I want you to come and enjoy & experience for yourself. It is so wonderful that we can drive just an hour outside of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta yet feel we are a world away!

Lodging -

A treasure at the base of the Mountain ~ I have stayed at what used to be Pura Vida Dahlonega several times but it has been awhile. It now is known as Dahlonega Spa Resort (different name same company runs the inn). The time I went with Chris we settled down after sipping on wine all afternoon in one of their private cabins. We enjoyed an afternoon of scrabble on our own little porch while drinking yet more Georgia Grapes! They have a rather large outdoor jacuzzi that fits like 15? Although, when we were there it was perfect for two! They have a delectable breakfast included in your room rate. A very zen yoga hall on the property and a FULL SERVICE spa. www.rrresorts.com/f.html#/dahlonega

Two other wine related lodging experiences I have yet to experience myself but plan to are -

3 comments:

Kara - wonderful blog idea & I luv the first entry!! Here's a great addition to it: The Winegrowers Association of Georgia is sponsoring its fourth annual Wine Highway Weekend on Saturday, March 18-20, 2011. This is a great way to see and experience the views and wonderful wines of Northeast Georgia. Our wineries offer great wines that are grown and produced here in Georgia, many of which have won local, regional, national and international awards.

There will be a $20.00 fee for each participant which will be collected at the first winery visited. Travelers will receive a “Wine Highway Weekend” collectors’ glass which will give them admission to ALL participating wineries at no additional charge. Normal tasting fees will not be charged to anyone participating in traveling the Wine Highway.

Member wineries and Affiliate Members will each provide their own unique open-house format, with many offering food and wine pairings, music, barrel and library wine tastings, discounts, drawings and other special attractions.

Hours vary from location to location and travelers should check individual websites for current hours and directions.